Obituary of Thomas Thorkildsen

Thomas Thorkildsen, age 91, of Rowland died Saturday, July 7, 2018 at home. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ester Andrea (Michalsen) Thorkildsen, whom he married in 1950. Born December 11, 1926, in Lista, Norway, Tom was the son of the late Ludwig Bernard and Gerda (Jacobsen) Thorkildsen. A US Army veteran, he worked as a commercial dock builder until his retirement in 1988. He was a member of the Dock Builders Carpenters Union #1456. Formerly of Staten Island and Brooklyn, he had been a full-time resident of Rowland since 2001 but had summered there with his wife and family since 1956. Tom was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, an associate member of Sons of Norway Bernt Balchen Lodge and a life member of Nansen Lodge of the Sons of Norway in Staten Island. He was a member of the Hawley American Legion and the Aurora Grata-Day Star Masonic Lodge #0647 in New York. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons: Dr. Bruce Thorkildsen and his wife Sharon of Mount Bethel, PA, and Ernest Thorkildsen and his wife Karyn of Staten Island, NY; one brother: Arne Thorkildsen of Seattle, WA; five grandchildren: Matthew and Jason Thorkildsen, Katie Sottile, Kristie Bernas and Kevin Thorkildsen. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Ansgar, Bjarne and Arnt Thorkildsen. Calling hours will be Tuesday, July 10, from 2 to 4 PM only at Teeters' East Chapel, 505 Church St, Hawley, PA. The funeral will follow at 4:00 PM at the funeral home with Rev. Norman R. Beighley, Pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church, officiating.. Private cremation will be held at Lake Region Crematory, Lake Ariel. Memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church, Box 193, Church Road, Rowland, PA 18457 for their new organ.